Dunlap has two years of NBA experience, working on the Nuggets staff under head coach George Karl. The Nuggets compiled a 95-69 record during his tenure there, making the playoffs in both seasons. Prior to his stint with the Red Storm, Dunlap served as an assistant for Arizona (2008/09) and Oregon (2009/10). Dunlap surprised many when he turned down the opportunity to become the interim coach of the Wildcats while Lute Olson dealt with health issues.

The St. John's assistant appears to have come out of left field and was never a known candidate for the job. Aside from Shaw, Snyder, and McMillan, the Bobcats also interviewed seven others including longtime Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter) believes that Michael Jordan was reluctant to pay a lot for a coach and that Dunlap was likely an inexpensive hire.